BRANSON CORPS AFFECTED, BUT STILL SERVING The Branson Corps re-opens and is ready to serve the community

Branson, Missouri (March 12, 2012) The recent tornado that tore through the Branson community affected many - including The Salvation Army's Branson Corps.

On Monday, the Branson Corps located at 1114 Stanley Blvd. re-opened its doors and is again providing much needed assistance to the community from this location. Available assistance includes an emergency food pantry, rental and prescription assistance, as well as help with general social services.

The Branson Corps is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. and the emergency food pantry operates Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. until noon.

Although the tornado may have affected the Branson Corps' building, The Salvation Army has tried it's very best to not let that effect its ability to serve the community, Ozark Area Coordinator, Major Norman Grainger said.

"We know first-hand that many families and individuals are now trying to recover both physically and emotionally from the devastating storms, Grainger said. "We want all to know that The Salvation Army is here and our doors are open for anyone who needs us."

Last month, the February 29th F-2 tornado ripped the roof off the Branson Corps, shattered several large windows and destroyed its passenger van. Since then, repair crews have covered the roof, boarded windows and secured the building so it is once again safe to occupy. Initial estimates total the damage at $70,000.

Until today, The Salvation Army has provided direct service to those in need from its mobile feeding unit, or canteen, as well as at the Multi-Agency Relief Center (MARC).

In total, The Salvation Army has helped more than 200 households with more than $16,000 worth of assistance and served more than 4,500 meals, drinks and snacks to storm survivors, first responders and clean-up crews during the Branson-area disaster relief efforts.

For more information please contact the Branson Corps (417) 339-4434.

How to Help: Help provide immediate assistance by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY or by visiting www.STLSalvationArmy.org to make a secured credit card donation. Please mail checks to The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 21787 St. Louis MO 63109 - designate your gift by writing "Storm Relief" on the check. Mobile and Smartphone users can text the word ARCH to 80888 to make an instant $10 donationPlease remember that due to the high expense and amount of time associated with delivering in-kind gifts, such as gently-used household items and clothing, The Salvation Army cannot guarantee at this time that any individual donated gifts-in-kind will be sent to the disaster area. During times of disaster, The Salvation Army is able to meet the need for these items from its thrift store's existing, pre-sorted stock. Therefore, by continuing to donate gently-used household goods to your local Salvation Army thrift store, you not only help your local community, you help The Salvation Army prepare for future disaster relief needs. To locate your nearest Salvation Army drop-off location, please visit www.satruck.org.

About The Salvation Army:The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 82 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org. ###